VALUES

PHILIPPINE VALUES

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WHAT ARE VALUES?

Culturally, Values are define as standards by which people assess desirability, goodness and beauty.

Values are statement about what ought to be. (Macciones1997:70)

To identify the values operatives in a society, Robin Williams presents the four fold test:

1. Extensiveness.This answer the question,Is a concept recognized by a representative number of people within the society?

2. Duration. This answer the question, Has the value been shared in common for sometime?

3. Intensity. This answer the question, Do these values involve the emotions and are they taken seriously and sought after by many?

4. Prestige of its carrier.This answer the question, Do these values provide a ready-made means for judging the social worth of persons or group who have them?

FORCES THAT SHAPE CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE VALUES

1.The Oriental Force–this influences the core of Filipino’s moral and social conscience and cultural identity.

It comes from the Aeta, Indonesian, Malayan, Hindu, Arabian and Chinese elements.

2. The Occidental Force

–these are ways of life adapted from the Spanish and American culture.

Spain introduced…

Roman Catholicism

Fiesta

parochial school

municipal building

village plaza

compadresystem.

Compadresystem initiated the Filipino…

practice of extended families.

practice of nepotism and favoritism in the social sphere.

forced labor developed in the Filipinos hatred for manual labor.

The Americansintroduced…

Democratic system of government.

Education

English languageas the medium of instruction.

The Americans also introduced into the Filipino way of life the values of materialism and consumerism.

DIFFERENT VALUE ORIENTATIONS THAT DOMINATES FILIPINOS WAY OF LIFE

1.NON-RATIONALISM VS RATIONALISM

Non-Rationalism-idea that people has to adapt themselves to nature and the forces outside themselves.

Example: Bahalana, ItinalagangDiyos, IginuhitngTadhana, Gulongngpalad, malas, napasubo.

Rationalism

belief that one can actively control and manipulate his or her destiny by systematic planning, studying and training.

The rational person is…

•future-oriented

•scientific-oriented

•priority to self expression and creativity over group conformity and security.

2. PERSONALISM VS IMPERSONALISM

Personalism-attaches major importance to personal factors which guarantee intimacy, warmth and security of kinship and friendship in getting things done.

In personalism, the Filipinos way of doing things is centered too much in personalities.

They resort to

pakiusap,

areglo

lakad

Impersonalism-eliminates the influence of friendship or kinship in working situations.

Behavior is depersonalized, standardized or institutionalized.

3. PARTICULARISM VS UNIVERSALISM

Particularism-centers their concerns on sub-group made up of relatives, friends, colleagues, associates, religious affiliates or members of his or her ethnical regional group.

Universalism-concerns in the advancement of the collective national good.

4. NATIONALISM

It is the advocacy of making one’s own nation distinct and separate from others in intellectual, social, economic, political and moral matters.

It is a feeling of oneness among the nationals and seeks to establish the identity and the good of one’s nation.

Nationalism can either be a factor for evil or for good…

a.Ethnocentrism(belief in the superiority of one's own ethnic group)

b.Xenophobia(fear and hatred of strangers or foreigners or of anything that is strange or foreign).

Filipino Values/Traits

Positive Traits

1.Close Family Ties and Religious

Filipinos value their family so much that they tend to be intact.

2. Politeness

Filipinos are respectful individuals.

The use of ‘’po’’ and ‘’’opo’’’ when in conversation with an elder.

3. Hospitality

Filipinos will invite their visitors to come into their homes and offer them treats such as snacks and drinks after a long journey.

4. Gratitude

Gratitude or “utangnaloob”.

One does not forget the good deeds that others may have done to him or her especially at times of great need.

5. Shame

Shame or ‘Hiya’.

It is said that Filipinos would go to great lengths in order for one not to be ashamed.

Flexibility, Adaptability, and Creativity

Filipinos have the ability to adjust to often difficult circumstances and prevailing physical and social environments.

6. Loyalty

Loyalty or ‘Pakikisama.’

Filipinos are said to be loyal to their friends and fellowmen in order to ensure the peace in the group.

7. Hard work and Industry

Filipinos are universally regarded as excellent workers who perform well in their jobs.

8. Resignation

Trust in God or the concept of ‘Bahalana’

This ideal is used when a person does not know what to do or is to lazy to do anything at all.

9. Amor Propio

It is high self-esteem and is shown in the sensitivity of a person to hurt feelings and insults, real or imagined.

This is manifested in…

hiya,

utangnaloob

Ex. kuwan, marahil, tilangaand pipilitinko.

helehelebagoquire or pakipot,

delikadesa

Negative Filipino Traits

1. Fatalism

An attitude wherein, “what goes around, comes around,” or “come what may.”

They tend to surrender their future on fate.

2. Crab Mentality

They tend to push each other down for the benefit of themselves to go up so they try their best to make the person down or ruin. This is also selfishness.

Different Viewpoints/Perspectives on Culture

1.Cultural Relativism

•This perspective states that culture differ.

•It states that elements of culture should be viewed on their own terms.

Example:

Monogamy among Christians

Polygamy among the Muslims.

Among Christians, polygamy is immoral but moral and appropriate among Muslims.

2. Culture Shock

This refers to the feeling of disbelief, disorganization, and frustration one experience when he encounters cultural patterns which are different from his/her.

3. Ethnocentrism

This refers to the tendency to see the behavior, beliefs, values and norms of one’s culture as superior than the other.

4. Xenocentrism

•This refers to the idea that what is foreign is best and that one’s lifestyle, products or ideas are inferior to those of others.

5. Noble Savage Mentality

It is a notion that the culture and way of life of the primitives or simple cultures is better, more acceptable, and more orderly.

Ex. Rural’slife

6. Subculture

This refers to the way of life of a smaller group that include their norms, values, beliefs and special languages which makes them distinct from the broader society.

7. Counterculture or contra culture

This refers to the way of life of subgroups whose standards comes in conflict with and opposed the conventional standards of the dominant culture.

Example: deviants such as criminals, juvenile delinquency, drug dependents, prostitutes, terrorists.

8. Culture Lag

This refers to the gap between the material and non-material culture.

Example: Muslims readily accept modern means of transportation and communication but remain steadfast in their religious belief/faith.

Cultural Relativism

•This perspective states that culture differ.

•It states that elements of culture should be viewed on their own terms.